Sep 6 2007
Following substantial restructuring, a streamlined new Hydro is determined to grow as a global aluminium company with unique captive energy production.
Sound aluminium markets, operational excellence, technological leadership and a commitment to partnerships form a solid platform for Hydro’s core business areas – Aluminium Metal, Aluminium Products and Energy. With 25,000 employees in more than 30 countries, combined with solid financial and operational strength, Hydro is well-positioned to pursue global growth opportunities.
The merger of Hydro’s oil and gas activities with Statoil is on track to be completed by October 1, and the Hydro share will begin trading as an aluminium share from that date.
A repositioned Aluminium Metal business is moving ahead with highly promising projects in both alumina production and smelting operations. Hydro has a clear ambition to expand its upstream aluminium activities worldwide, particularly in energy-rich areas, with crucial support from its unique in-house energy competence.
An extensive restructuring program in Aluminium Products is close to completion, leaving the business with five distinct product areas – Rolled Products, Extrusion, Building Systems, Precision Tubing and Automotive Structures, all with leading positions in their respective markets.
“I’m confident that the new and focused Hydro will succeed in the global aluminium market. Following significant strategic and operational progress, Hydro has the financial and operational strength needed to embark on a focused and ambitious aluminium strategy,” says Hydro President and CEO Eivind Reiten.
“Hydro aims to expand upstream aluminium operations, build on leading positions in aluminium products markets worldwide and further develop our unique energy-production competence. Our competitive edge, operational excellence and firm market conditions provide Hydro with a solid foundation for growth,” Reiten says.
Financial strength
Hydro’s financial position is strong. The company’s net cash position at the end of June 2007 was NOK 7.2 billion. Including net pension liabilities of NOK 7.7 billion and operating lease commitments of NOK 0.5 billion, net adjusted debt amounted to NOK 1.0 billion.
Hydro, currently rated “BBB” by Standard and Poor’s and “Baa1” by Moody’s, aims to maintain an investment grade rating going forward. It plans to maintain funds from operations at 40 percent of net adjusted debt over the business cycle. Funds from operations is defined as net income plus depreciation and amortization plus deferred taxes. Furthermore, the company targets a ratio of adjusted net interest-bearing debt to equity below 0.55.
Shareholder return will remain a key priority for Hydro. The company aims to implement measures to make the capital structure more efficient. Share repurchases and an extraordinary dividend will be considered. The measures to be implemented will be announced along with fourth-quarter results in February 2008.
Capital expenditures, including debt-financed projects in joint ventures, are expected to rise to NOK 11-12 billion in 2008 and in 2009, up from about NOK 6.5 billion in 2007. About 80 percent of the 2008 and 2009 investments will be made in the upstream aluminium business. Major projects in 2008 include the Qatalum aluminium project in Qatar and the completion of the Alunorte 3 expansion in Brazil.
In the Aluminium Products area, focus on cash generation and improved return will continue, but selective growth initiatives in Extrusion and Building Systems will be evaluated. In the Energy business area, investments are expected to be limited except for the build-up of the solar energy business.
Included in the investment budget for 2008 is sustaining capital expenditure of NOK 3 billion, which Hydro expects will remain at this level in the coming years.
Aluminium Metal repositioned
The repositioning in Aluminium Metal has now been completed, with remaining smelter capacity strongly positioned on the industry’s cost curve. Since 2003, Hydro has closed down 250,000 tonnes of high-cost primary aluminium capacity, mainly in Norway and Germany. This production has been partly replaced by significantly more competitive capacity.
Hydro’s primary aluminium production is expected at 1.73 million tonnes in 2007, rising to about 2 million tonnes in 2011, the first year of full production from Qatalum. The 585,000 tonnes Qatalum smelter, a 50/50 joint venture between Hydro and Qatar Petroleum, will be built by Hydro based on extensive project experience and distinct project management skills.
Operational excellence will remain a top priority for Hydro and be based on the Aluminium Metal Production System (AMPS). In addition to developing the next-generation smelter cell technology, AMPS puts Hydro in a strong position for participation in new smelter projects. Plans under evaluation include an expansion of the Karmøy smelter in Norway, a second phase of the Qatalum plant in Qatar and an expansion of the Kurri Kurri aluminium smelter in Australia.
Aluminium Products restructured
2007 marks the end of an extensive restructuring of Hydro’s downstream business. Hydro has reduced its workforce by 3,300 people and cut fixed assets by 30 percent. Financial performance has significantly improved, with a 30 percent increase in EBIT excluding special items in first-half 2007 compared with the same period in 2006.
Aluminium Products consists of five distinct businesses, all with leading positions in their respective markets, technological leadership and operational excellence. Europe will remain the core focus for Aluminium Products, and Hydro will continue efforts to improve the North American operations. Future investments will aim to strengthen Hydro’s number-one positions and high grade the portfolio.
Energy to support smelter growth
Hydro is well covered with captive power production based on hydropower generation in Norway and the planned gas-fired power plant in Qatar. Following the start-up of the Qatalum aluminium plant, expected in late 2009, Hydro will have close to 50 percent of its power needs in metal production covered by captive power sources.
As Norway’s number two power producer with more than a century-long experience in power generation, Hydro will use its energy competence to support its international smelter growth ambitions. For power production in Norway, Hydro will focus on continued improvement of operational performance and optimization of production to ensure high-cash generation.
Hydro has three promising positions in solar energy and will consider opportunities for further solar-energy investments.
The Capital Markets Day presentation can be downloaded from www.hydro.com from. The presentation will also be streamed live on www.hydro.com at 12:00 CET. The webcast will remain available for download on Hydro’s website for two months following the Capital Markets Day.